Job interviews can give you the jitters. Informational interviews, however, have a lot less riding on them, at least as far as the fate of your employment status goes. Still, when preparing for an informational interview, you should take just as much care…if not more. Those who grant informational interviews have a lot less to [...]
Archive for August, 2008
August 18th, 2008
Informational Interviews: Just Like the Real Thing
Steph Auteri 
Posted in preparation 
Tags: informational interviews, interviews, research 
No Comments » August 15th, 2008
Coffee Break: Freelancing At Your 9-to-5
I remember well my first job out of college. The company had hired me as their first-ever editor (I was more like a glorified word processor) and, once they had me, they weren’t quite sure what to do with me. I was miserable there. The work was mind-numbing, and I was left with large swaths [...]
August 14th, 2008
My 5 Favorite Things In: Test-Drive Your Dream Job
When I first stumbled upon Brian Kurth’s Vocation Vacations website, I thought it was just about the best idea I’d ever seen. As someone with so many interests, she doesn’t know quite what to do with them, the opportunity to go on a vocation vacation and experience an entirely new career for a limited period [...]
August 13th, 2008
Marrying for the Money
Both Jezebel and the Freelancers Union recently linked to this New York Times article on people marrying (or divorcing) in order to get health insurance. As one who is perpetually thankful for her hubby’s fabulous health insurance (it’s simple existence allowed me to follow my freelance dreams), I find this article especially relevant, for me [...]
August 13th, 2008
Continuing Education for Freelancers
Earlier in the week, we discussed how the very act of being prepared can strengthen one’s self-confidence. Today, I’d like to go over the various forms such preparation can take. If you’re teetering on the edge of starting up your own freelance business, such steps toward readiness will take your plans from romantic to realistic.
Steph Auteri Posted in preparation Tags: books, classes, education, groups, internships, interviews, practice, reference, workshops 2 Comments » August 12th, 2008
Product Placement: Pretty Paperclips
During my time as a Modern Materialista, I’ve continued to find office products that I may not need, but sorta want anyway. ‘Cause they’re pretty. Or clever. Or shiny. Or sparkly. I like these paper clips from See Jane Work ($6) because they’re whimsical and colorful, while still being practical. Check out your options after [...]
August 11th, 2008
Being a Freelance Superhero
Just the other day, I wrote on my personal blog about a career move I was considering. One of my readers — neonfoxtongue — commented on the moves she herself was thinking of making, mentioning her worry that she might not be taken seriously in the field because of her…newness. “Maybe this is something you [...]
August 8th, 2008
Coffee Break: Becoming Money in the Bank
My husband battled his fears of eventual bankruptcy by supporting my decision to leave my staff job and pursue freelancing full-time. And when I succeeded in bringing in my former staffer income within half a year as a freelancer, I sort of wanted to wiggle my butt and point and scream “In! Your! Face!” The [...]
August 7th, 2008
My 5 Favorite Things In: The Well-Fed Writer
When I first read The Well-Fed Writer, it terrified me. Promising to aid me in gaining “financial self-sufficiency as a freelance writer in six months or less,” author Peter Bowerman then went on to sing the praises of cold calling. When I was growing up, my parents used to collect magazine clippings of articles with [...]
August 6th, 2008
To Be Or Not To Be a Generalist
My husband once said something he found absolutely hilarious (I found it obnoxious). It was in response to my complaint that I was always handing out his business cards, but he was never handing out any of mine. “It’s a two-way street,” I insisted. “Yes, but my side gets more traffic,” he said, smirking. It’s [...]
Steph Auteri Posted in career path Tags: expert, expertise, focus, generalizing, specializing 1 Comment » 
